November 03, 2005

Earlier today, the Senate voted to reauthorize the Perkins Loan Program under the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965. The reauthorization, as part of broader HEA reauthorization legislation, was contained in the Senate’s budget reconciliation bill, the Deficit Reduction Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 2005 (S.1932). The bill, which makes over $36 billion in cuts to entitlement programs, passed the Senate on a vote of 52–47. The no votes are a result of controversial language involving student loans, Medicare, Artic oil drilling and several other issues.

The House of Representatives is expected to consider its budget reconciliation bill next week. It is expected that the bill will include HEA reauthorization legislation as well, which includes reauthorization of the Perkins Loan Program.

COHEAO will continue to provide updates as the situation continues to develop.

Andrew Stringer
Legislative Associate
Washington Partners, LLC
(P) 202-289-3903
(F) 202-371-0197
astringer@wpllc.net